Internships at AEI - Oh Yu Han
1. What’s something surprising or fun about you that people wouldn’t guess?
The extent of my fruit consumption. I love fruits so much that I started a habit tracker just last month to track every time I ate a fruit, and I’ve logged 63 times so far.
2. What did you learn from the internship – best takeaway?
Every little detail is vital! A lot can hinge on the smallest elements in a legal document, be it inconsistencies in names, dates, abbreviations, or even punctuation. What stood out to me was how the team here holds themselves to exceptionally high standards of precision. Their attention to detail ensured that documents were drafted with utmost clarity, accuracy, and protection of the client’s interests. This level of care at the granular level left a deep impression, and will be a lesson I carry into future experiences.
3. What was the biggest learning curve for you, and what helped you through it?
It was quite daunting to navigate different types of agreements for the first time. I was tasked to read through Simple Agreements for Future Equity (SAFEs) and Employee Share Options (ESOPs) and to identify any provisions that might raise concerns from the client’s perspective. It felt like there were a lot of things to consider at once, and I did not feel fully confident in my understanding of commercial terms.
What helped me manage this challenge was breaking down the tasks into smaller, more manageable issues, and clarifying the terms I was unfamiliar with. The lawyers I worked with were incredibly supportive, providing clear instructions, patient answers, and context where needed. Their guidance was truly integral to my learning process, which I’m very grateful for.
4. Has this internship changed your perception of legal work?
Yes, it has. The workplace definitely functions very differently from law school, so this internship provided meaningful exposure to corporate law.
Assignments in school are all about demonstrating legal knowledge, but I’ve learned that in corporate practice, legal concepts are often just one part of a much broader picture. The work they do is also driven by client needs, commercial realities, and practical constraints, sometimes to the point that it doesn’t feel very much about the law at all.
This broadened my understanding of what it means to “think like a lawyer”, and I’ve come to appreciate the versatility of corporate legal practice as well.
5. What advice would you give future interns?
Don’t treat work like school. You’re not just here to complete tasks, but also to gain insights about the profession. Take every chance to observe how the lawyers think, work and communicate, and don’t hesitate to ask them about their law school stories too! Everyone here is really patient and approachable, all you have to do is ask.
6. Did you enjoy your time?
Of course! My past 3 weeks have been both enriching and eye-opening. The culture here is one of excellence without ego, and the team shares a genuine camaraderie that made each day highly enjoyable. I think internships like this are rare and valuable, so I feel really lucky to have been a part of this firm, even if just for a little while.